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UK workers lack support from their employers

The majority (82%) of employees in the UK do not have a mentor for help and support at work, according to new research by Rungway.

Without the support in the workplace, over a fifth (21%) of UK workers are instead turning to friends or family outside of the workplace.

Rungway is an app which enables people to gain work and life advice from others – either anonymously or publicly. Commissioned by Rungway, the findings came from a survey of over 2,000 UK professionals in employment.

Mentoring is a key method for employers to help and show their support to employees. Research from the Chartered Management Institute revealed that 66% of managers facing a crisis at work were able to overcome their issue and even learn from the experience through the help of a mentor.

Founder of Rungway, Julie Chakraverty said: “There is so much talk about wellbeing in the workplace but we are still overlooking the importance of offering full and proper support to every employee. If employers want a happier workforce, they need to make sure that all employees have access to career advice and help at work – something that’s hard to do at scale through traditional mentoring programmes. That’s where technology comes in. Rungway users say that not only are they are getting the necessary, personal support they need, but also the app provides them with the convenience of asking for that guidance when it suits them.”

Young workers are the least supported

City

Workers without a mentor

Belfast

94%

York

93%

Coventry

93%

Cardiff

91%

Manchester

90%

Southampton

88%

Leeds

86%

Glasgow

86%

Sheffield

86%

Norwich

83%

Oxford

83%

Bristol

83%

Edinburgh

82%

Nottingham

82%

Newcastle

80%

Liverpool

80%

Birmingham

76%

London

74%

Those who are new to the workforce – and perhaps who need it most – are receiving the least support, with fewer than one in 10 (8%) of 18 to 24-year-olds having a mentor at work.

The 25 to 34-year-old age group is the most supported in the workplace, but still only one-third (32%) receive help and guidance from a mentor at work.

Belfast found to be the least supportive region

Belfast employers offer the least amount of support for their workers, with 94% of employees in Belfast saying they do not have a mentor at work.

They are closely followed by employees in York and Coventry, where 93% of workers do not have a mentor.

Working Londoners are the most supported workforce, with almost a quarter (23%) saying they have a work mentor.

Rungway is an app which sparks one-to-one conversations that provide people with practical help and varied points of view. This input is often enough to make users feel better informed with the wisdom to move forward. Being on Rungway is being part of a warm and supportive community.